You don't have to "know linguistics" to be able to pull of this kind of maneuver. Indeed, while some people quested in search of things that would make them memorable at social events (e.g., Beer Pong skill, or stories that begin "Once I got so drunk, I flirted with a..."), my college experience saw me desperately seeking any information that would help me out-brain my roommates. Failing that, I soaked up logical skullduggery to get ahead, like the argumentative version of the Ben-Hur chariot spikes, or outright lies. If it was becoming clear that victory could not be achieved, I would side-swipe and retreat before the truth could be realized. It's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't lived with 3 other guys who are more intelligent than you and not one iota less competitive.
In retrospect, this could have partially influenced my choice in majoring in Linguistics. At the time it was uncharted country to me and my people. They don't teach it in High School, at least not in the Southeast. I can remember looking at the department's introductory pamphlet in the same way that Indiana Jones may have looked at gleaming statuettes/crystal skulls/ancient goblets.
All this did for me regarding the "mean streets," however, was to give me a head start. For a time, I knew words nobody knew. For a time, it was delicious. Eventually, though, everybody caught onto my gig and took some classes of their own (up to, but not limited to, a doctorate). Used to be I could say bust out the word "yodization" when I wanted a sucka to back off. Not anymore, though. I think I may have used my powers for petty purposes, not unlike Gollum, and now people just roll their eyes.
